Knee decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, claimed as secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability. The case is now pending with an addendum opinion needed from a VA physician regarding whether the bilateral knee disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions, including right hand scars, left hip scar, chin scar, and knee conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, as well as other conditions, have been considered. The claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a left elbow injury is granted, with an effective date to be determined based on further review. Service connection for varicose veins was denied previously. Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for dental issues has also been addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but denied the remaining claims. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability and right knee disability are not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the left leg other than his already service-connected radiculopathy and left knee disability. The claims for bilateral shoulder, hip, and left knee disabilities are also denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining STRs and arranging for an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and consideration of his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's left knee disability, GERD, and bilateral hearing loss were rated appropriately. The left knee was granted a non-compensable rating prior to September 3, 2013, and a compensable rating thereafter. GERD was granted a separate 10 percent rating as of July 11, 2012. Bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability, prior to September 30, 2013, was rated at 20 percent and from December 1, 2014, at 60 percent. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. The criteria for higher ratings are not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of flare-ups on employment.

The Veteran's bilateral degenerative arthritis with bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus is rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276. The right knee degenerative arthritis with subluxation prior to February 20, 2014 is also rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied as the current evaluations already reflect the severity of his conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hip strain, right shoulder osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis are not related to his service or any service-connected disability. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities of bilateral ankle, hip, and knee conditions are not service connected as they are not related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates were denied. The claim for low back disorder was reopened, but the new evidence did not meet the criteria to grant service connection. Effective date claims for bilateral calcaneal spurs of the feet were also dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee conditions were rated at 10 percent prior to May 20, 2015. The VA examiner found that the Veteran suffered from additional functional loss due to severe pain on motion, with additional limitation on range of motion after repetitive use, weakened movement, excess fatigability, and disturbed locomotion. As such, his disability more closely approximated the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran is seeking an initial compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss. The VA will provide a new examination to assess the current severity of this condition.,The Veteran seeks service connection for right ankle disability, sleep apnea, GERD, sinus disability, pes planus (flatfoot), and right knee disability. A VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran claims that his sleep apnea may be related to military service. The VA will provide a new examination to assess whether this condition was caused by or is the result of his military service.,The Veteran seeks service connection for GERD, which he believes may be related to in-service gastrointestinal issues. A VA examination will determine if there is a link between his current condition and his military service.,The Veteran claims that his sinus disability may be linked to military service. The VA will provide an examination to assess the etiology of this condition.,The Veteran seeks service connection for pes planus (flatfoot), which he believes was aggravated by military service. A VA examination is needed to determine if there is a link between his current condition and his military service.,The Veteran claims that his right knee disability may be related to military service. The VA will provide an examination to assess the etiology of this condition.